Sign



March 12, 1940. H. N. CARVER SIGN Filed Sept. 23, 1937 Y E N R O T T A Patented Mar. 12, 194( UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 17 Claims.

This invention relatesto signs and more particularly to a sign having characteristics which especially adapts it for use as a thoroughfare direction or warning signal.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a sign adapted to efiiciently reflect, refract and emanate light for attracting the atcntlon of motorists and conveying suitable information to such motorists.

Other important objects of the present invention are to provide a sign of durable character 1 and arresting appearance; to provide improved light reflecting and refracting members for the sign and to provide supporting elementsfor such members; to increase the brilliance of a sign of this character and render the sign visible from a great distance; and to illuminate the sign in such a manner as to increase the luminosity, brilliance and the reflecting and/or retracting characteristics of the sign.

In accomplishing these and other objects" of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein: Y

Fig. 1 is a perspective view ofa sign embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-section through the sign illustrated in Fig. 1 on the line 2-4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of myimproved sign, the various parts thereof being shown in disassembled spaced relation to better illustrate the invention.

I Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the indicia members showing the attaching spring clip in spaced relation thereto.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of a modified form of indicia and indicia re taining members. 7

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

I generally designates a sign, which is particularly adapted to be set up at strategic points in a road system for conveying. information or warnings to motorists approaching or passing said points. The sign is mounted on a post or other suitable support'2 suitably secured in the ground, and a body member 3 is provided for the sign which is preferably of pan or dish-like conformation, i. e., substantially dished cross-section, and preferably has a relatively flat base portion t suitably secured to the post 2, outwardly tapering sidewalls 5 being extended from the base portion and a forwardly extending peripheral'rim 6 being provided von the walls 5, the

rim having an outwardly extending peripheral flange l.

A closure member 8 is mounted on the body member of the sign preferably by attaching its peripheral edge to the peripheral flange l of 5 the dish or pan shaped body member by fasten: ing devices ii]. The closure 8 is preferably pro vided with stencilled openings II in a suitable position therein for forming a legend to convey information to motorists approaching the point 1 in the road system at which the sign is situated. The closure member is also provided with stencilled openings l2, which are preferably inwardly spaced from the peripheral edge thereof to form,

in eifect, a border member. 15

Mounted in the stencilled openings of the closure member are indicia members and/or display elements IS, which preferably consist of cast blocks of material adapted to have light passed therethrough, such as glass or a suitable synthetic resin having high tensile strength. The indicia members or blocks are preferably cast in the" form of strokes of characters, such as letters, making up the legend formed by the stencilled openings of the closure member andare provided with outer, preferably convex, pebbled surfaces M. The blocks are inset, as at 15, adjacent the widest portion of the convex outer surfaces and, are preferably grooved, as at iii, in spaced relation to the inset portion of the blocks. The blocks are preferably. provided with parallel side walls ll and is extending rear Wardly relative to the grooves I6 of the blocks, the side wall it terminating in a tapered rear face 19, which joins the wall I! in a rear edge 2% of the block to form a prismatic rear face for each of the blocks. The blocks I 3 are inserted in corresponding openings of the stencilled closure: member and the inset portions of the blocks provide a peripheral seat 2! on each of the blocks adapted to engage the outer face of the closure member. The grooves of the blocks are adapted to be positioned adjacent the rear face of the closure member and spring clips 22 are provided of a size suitable for engaging in the grooves and also engaging the rear face of the closure member for retaining the blocks in the stencilled openings thereof.

The blocks are positioned in the stencilled openings II and also the peripheral openings l2 of the closure member in such a manner that the tapered rear faces of the blocks, mounted in the border openings of the closure member, taper inwardly in the direction of the base portion 4 of the pan,.and the tapered rear surfaces of the sockets 21 mounted in the brackets for energizing the illuminating members from a suitable source of current supply.

The interior face 23 of the pan is preferably provided with a lustrous element 28' such as gilt, silver paint, aluminium paint, gold or silver foil, or some other suitable reflecting medium for refleeting light rays emanating from the illuminating members 23 and 24 outwardly relative to the pan and in the direction of the transparent or translucent blocks l3 of the sign. The faces or prismatic edges it of the indicia blocks may alsobe' coated with a lustrous reflecting element it for reflecting light rays entering the walls ll and I8 of the blocks and refracting such rays outwardly to and through the convex pebbled outer surface of the blocks and disseminating such light rays and casting the rays in a multitude of directions for attracting the attention of and conveying information to persons Within a wide range of vision relative to the sign.

As shown in Fig. 2, light rays L emanating from the members 23 and 24 enter the blocks I3 through the walls ll thereof, strike the tapered faces l9 and are refracted outwardly to a point in the sign where they are broken up and distributed by the convex pebbled outer surfaces of the blocks. Light rays R reflected from the inner surface of the body member 3 enter the blocks through the side walls H and i8 thereof, passto the convex pebbled outer surface of the V blocks and are also broken up and distributed in such a manner that the sign is illuminated to a greater extent than would be possible if direct rays only from the members 23 and 24 were utilized.

It is apparent that during the day time, the sun rays S striking the pebbled surfaces of the blocks l3 are caught from practically any angle of incidence forwardly of the sign and are disseminated throughout the blocks. Certain of the rays strike the tapered or prismatic inner surfaces W of the blocks and are refracted and/or reflected inwardly into the interior of the sign for reflection outwardly again by the lustrous finish of theinterior of the sign in the manner above described, thus attracting the attention of passers-by and conveying information to them.

It is equally'apparent that at night the same effect is produced by the light rays emanating from the headlights'of a motor vehicle and that the attention of a motorist is attracted to the sign and theproper information conveyed to him.

The illuminating members 23 are for the purpose of enhancing the visibility of the sign during the hours of darkness and the illuminating members emanate light, the rays of which strike the lustrous interior surface 28 of the pan for reflection outwardly. The light rays of the illuminating members are thus transmitted directlyto the refracting tapered prismatic surfaces of the indicia blocks and indirectly from the reflecting interior surface of the pan to the refrac- -part of the convex outer surface.

tive surfaces or prismatic faces of the blocks and subsequently outwardly through the pebbled convex outer surface of the blocks for dissemination in a myriad of directions to attract the attention of persons at practically any angle forwardly relative to the front portion of the sign.

In Fig. is illustrated a modified form of indicia member or block 29, which may be provided with a convex plain outer surface 30, or, if desired, a pebbled outer surface similar to that of the indicia blocks previously described, and which is also provided with an inset portion forming a seating face 3! adjacent the widest The body of the block 29 is provided with a peripheral groove 32, similar to the grooves It previously described, and with .a so-called body portion having parallel side walls 33. Extending rearwardly from the portion 33 of the block, and initiating at the edges of the side walls, is a plurality of spaced prisms 34, which are preferably provided with one side or inner face 35 parallel to the side walls 33 of the block and with a tapered wall 35 terminating in the rear edge 31 of one of the parallel walls of the block to thus form the plurality of prismatic surfaces for the rear face of each of the blocks.

In attaching the blocks to the sign, it is sometimes desirable to provide a retaining plate 38, preferably for each of the grooves of the blocks,

the inner edges of the plates being engageable in the grooves and the upper outer faces of the plates being engageable with the rear face of the closure member 8. Suitable fastening devices (not shown) may then be extended through the body of the closure and through apertures 39 in the plates to secure the blocks in position in such a manner as to make up the sign.

The assembly and use of an indicia block or member of the character described in connection with Fig. 5 is substantially similar to that of the preferred form of block. That is, the prismatic faces of the blocks are respectively inserted from the forward side of the closure 8 in the proper stencilled openings thereof and the seats 36 of the blocks engage the outer face of the closure. The retaining plates 38 are then applied to the peripheral grooves of the blocks adjacent the rear face of the closure, which, when provided withfastening devices, retain the blocks in their operative positions relative to the closure member. The closure, with the indicia blocks assembled, is then applied to the pan by inserting suitable fastening devices into aligned openings 40 and 4|, which are preferably provided in the peripheral edges of the closure and pan, respectively, and, the illuminating members having been applied to the body member of the sign, the sign is ready for use.

The tapered or prismatic surfaces 36 of the indicia blocks 29 may be coated with a lustrous element 42, if desired, for enhancing refraction and reflection of light rays emanating both interiorly and exteriorly of the sign for increasing the intensity of the light rays, breaking the rays emanating from the sign.

' The principal advantages in a sign constructed in accordance with the present invention are that the sign isvisible during both hours of darkness and lightness. The sign is illuminated as an aid to motorists approaching dangerous points. For example in a road system, light rays initiating interiorly of the sign or exteriorly thereof are disseminated in a wide range of angles due to the pebbled surfaces of the blocks, and the range of visibility of the sign is thus greatly increased. The indicia blocks may be easily and quickly removed for repair or replacement without affecting the eifectiveness of the remainder of the sign and the border blocks create an added attraction to the sign and also enhanceits appearance.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sign of the character described comprising a member having elongated openings, and elongated indicia members mounted in the openings of said member formed of a material adapted to have light passed therethrough, each of said indicia members having a light dispersing outer surface and a light refracting inner surface spaced from and joined to each other by parallel side walls forming light collecting surfaces engageable with the bounding edges of said openings to position the indicia members relative to the sign.

2. A sign of the character described including a body member of substantially dished crosssection, a closure member for said body member, indicia members mounted in said closure member formed of material adapted to have light passed therethrough, said indicia members having refiective and refractive surfaces, means in the body member for illuminating the indicia members, and a lustrous reflecting element covering thedished surface of said body member.

3. A sign of the character described including a body member of substantially dished cross-section, a closure member for said body member, indicia members mounted in said closure member formed of material adapted to have light passed therethrough, said indicia members having reflective and refractive surfaces, means in the body member'for illuminating the indicia members, and a lustrous reflecting element covering the dished surface of said body member and covering the reflective surfaces of said indicia members.

A. A sign of the character described including a body member of substantially dish-like conformation and having a baseportion, means on the base portion for illuminating the interior of the body member, a closure member covering the outer face of the body member and said illuminating means, said closure member having 'elongated openings forming a legend for the sign, and elongated members mounted in said openings adapted to have light passed therethrough from either side thereof, said elongated members having outer and inner surfaces spaced from and joined to each other by parallel side walls engageable with the bounding edges of said openings to position said elongated members relative to the closure member.

5. A sign of the character described including a body member of substanially dish-like conformation and having a base portion, means on the base portion for illuminating the interior of the body member, a closure member covering the outer face of the body member and said illuminating means, said closure member having elongated openings forming a legend for the sign, elongated indicia members mounted in said open- 75 ings adapted to have light passed therethrough from either side thereof, said elongated mem spaced parallel side walls engageable with the bounding edges of said openings to position said elongated members relative to the closure member, and means engageable with the indicia and closure members respectively for retaining the indicia members in operative condition in the openings of the closure member.

6. A sign of the character described including a body member of substantially dish-like conformation and having a base portion, means on the base portion for illuminating the interior of the body member, a closure member covering the outer face of the body member and said illuminating means, said closure member having elongated openings forming a legend for the sign, elongated indicia members mountedin said openings adapted to have light passed, therethrough from either side thereof, saidelongated members having outer and inner surfaces joined by parallel side walls engageable with the bounding edges of said openings to position said elongated members relative to the closure member, means 25 engageable with the indicia and closure members respectively for retaining the indicia members in operative condition in the openings of the closure member, said indicia members having peripheral grooves in said side walls, and clip members mounted in said grooves and engageable with the closure member substantially at the bounding edges of the openings for removably mounting the indicia members in the closure member.

7. A sign of the character described including a support, a pair-like body membermounted on the support having a relatively flat base portion,

means mounted on the base portion for illuminating the interior of the body member, a lustrous reflecting element covering the inner surface of said body member, a closure member adapting the indicia members for seating engagementon the outer face of the closure member, said indicia members also having peripheral grooves spaced from the inner and outer surfaces thereof, and spring clips engageable in said grooves and with the inner face of the closure member for retaining the indicia members in operative condition relative to the inner and outer faces of the closuremember.

8. A sign of the character described including a support, a pan-like body member mounted on the supporthaving a relatively flat base portion, means mounted on the base portion for illuminating the interior of the body member, a lustrous reflecting element covering the inner surface of said body member, a closure member mounted on the peripheral edge of said body member having openings therein forming a legend for the sign, indicia members forming parts of characters corresponding to the openings of the closure member, said indicia members having convex outer surfaces and prismatic inner surfaces, said indicia members having inset portions adapting the indicia members for seating engagement on the outer face of the closure member, said indicia members also having peripheral grooves spaced from the inner and outer surfaces thereof, and means engageable in said grooves. and withthe inner face of the closure member for retaining the indicia members in operative condition relative to the inner and outer faces of the closure member."

9. A sign of the character described includin a support, a pan-like body member mounted on the support having a relatively flat base portion, means mounted on the base portion for illuminating the interior of the body member, a lustrous reflecting element covering the inner surface of said body member, a closure member mounted on the peripheral edge of said body member having openings .therein forming a legend for the sign, indicia members forming parts of characters corresponding to the openings of the closure member, saidindicia members having convex outer surfaces and prismatic inner surfaces, said indiciamembers having inset portions adapting the indicia members for seating engagement on the outer face of the closure member, said indicia. members also having peripheral grooves spaced from the inner and outer surfacesthereof, and retaining plates engageable in said grooves and. with the inner face of the closure member for retaining the indicia members in operative condition relative tothe inner and outer faces of the closure member.

10. A sign of the character described including a support, a pan-like body member mounted on the support having a relatively flat base portion, means mounted on the base portion for illuminating the interior of the body member, a lustrous reflecting element covering the inner surface of said body member, a closure member mounted on .the peripheral edge of said body member having openings therein forming a legend for the sign, indicia members forming parts of characters corresponding to the openings of the closure member, said indicia members having convex outer surfaces and prismatic inner surfaces, said indicia members having inset portions adapting the indicia members for. seating engagement on the outer face ofthe closure member, said indicia members also havingperipheral grooves spaced from the inner and outer surfaces thereof, means engageable in said grooves and with the inner faceof the closure member for retaining the indicia members in operative condition relative to the inner and outer faces of the closure member, and indicia members mounted substantially at the peripheral edge of the closure member forming a border for the sign. a

11. In combination with a. sign, an indicium adapted to bemounted on the sign .including a block formed of a material adapted to have light passed therethrough, said block having an edge bounding a convex surface at one side thereof and having an inset portion adjacent said edge, said block having a peripheral groove, and spaced prisms on the block opposite the convex surface.

12. In combination with a sign, an indicium adapted to be mounted on the sign including a block formed of a materialadapted to have light passed therethrough, saidblock having an edge bounding a convex surface at one side thereof and having an inset portion adjacent said edge, said block having a peripheral groove, spaced prisms on the block opposite the convex surface,,-and a reflecting element backing said prisms.

,13.'In combination with -a sign, an indicium adaptedto be mounted on the sign including a block formed of a material adapted to have light passed therethrough, said block having an edge boundinga convex surface at one side thereof and having an inset portion adjacent said edge, said block having a peripheral groove, a prism on the block opposite the convex surface, and areflecting element backing said prism.

14. In combination with a sign, an indicium adapted to be mounted on the sign including a blockformed of a material adapted to pass light therethrough, said block having a convex surface on 'oneside thereof, and parallel side walls extending from said convex surface, said walls being of different length, the shorter of said walls terminating in a tapered rear face extending to the edge of the other wall and forming a prismatic rear face for the block.

15. In combination with a sign, an indicium adapted to bemounted on the sign including a block formed of a material adapted to pass light therethrough, said block having a convex surface on one side thereof, parallel side Walls extending from said convex surface, said Walls being of different length, the shorter of said walls terminating in a tapered rear face extending to the edge, of the other wall and forming a prismatic rear face for the block, and a reflecting element, on said tapered rear face.

16. In combination with a sign, an indicium adapted to be mounted on the sign including a block formed of a material adapted to pass light therethrough, said block having a convex surfaceon one side thereof, parallel side walls extending from said convex surface, said walls being of different length, the shorter of said Walls terminating in a tapered rear face extending to the edge of the other wall and forming a prismatic rear face for the block, said Walls having a groove therein adjacent the convex surface, and a retaining member engageable in the groove and with a portion of the sign respectively.

17. In combination with a sign, an indicium adapted to be mounted on the sign including a block formed of a material adapted to pass light therethrough, said block having a convex surface on one side thereof, parallel side walls extending from said convex surface, said walls being of different length, the shorter of said Walls terminating in a tapered rear face extending to the edge of the other wall and forming a prismatic rear face for the block, said walls having a groove therein adjacent the convex surface, a retaining member engageable in the groove and with a portion of the sign respectively, and a reflectingelement on said tapered rear face. HORACE N. CARVER. 

